Howard Hanson Dam: Key Resources
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Howard Hanson Dam
King County Page on the Green River Valley Flooding Threat
King County Online Floodplain Boundary Maps (iMAP): View and print custom online maps using King County data including parcels, floodway and floodplain boundaries.
Be Prepared
FloodSmart.gov offers these tips to prepare before a flood:
1) Know safety tips and build an emergency supply kit
Include drinking water, a first-aid kit, canned food, a radio, flashlight and blankets. Visit http://www.ready.gov for a disaster supply checklist or http://www.weather.gov/floodsafety for flood safety tips and information from the National Weather Service.
2) Have a family emergency plan in place. Plan and practice flood evacuation routes from home, work and school that are on higher ground.
3) Move important objects and papers to a safe place. Store your valuables where they won’t get damaged.
4) Protect your property. Consider a flood insurance policy at http://www.FloodSmart.gov. Most homeowners insurance does not cover flooding.
More: Flood Safety: What to know, what to do
King County Flood Planning Page
Prepare now for floods.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
During a flood and its aftermath, know how protect your personal health and safety. In winter and early spring, it is especially important to understand the health threats associated with exposure to cold weather and cold water.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Information and resources from the federal agency including fast facts, solutions and online tools.
Other Preparedness Resources
Puget Sound Energy's Green River Valley page
Flood safety tips, information about service restoration following a flood, community resources and more.
Take Winter By Storm Checklist
Tips for storm preparedness in Western Washington.
Live in the area? Please review your city’s online resources
City of Auburn
· City of Auburn site on the Howard Hanson Dam
City of Kent
· City of Kent site on the Howard Hanson Dam
City of Renton
· City of Renton site on the Howard Hanson Dam
City of Tukwila
State sets up flood-insurance program for Green River businesses
Last year, concerns about potential flooding below the Howard Hanson Dam in south King County made it difficult for some area businesses to find adequate insurance coverage. In response, the new Washington Flood Market Assistance Plan was launched to help pair Green River Valley businesses struggling to find flood coverage with the insurers selling it. The program will be administered by the Surplus Line Association of Washington, under the supervision of the state insurance commissioner’s office.
State officials are also urging anyone in the potential flood areas – including homeowners and renters - to strongly consider purchasing coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program. For many homeowners and renters, the federal flood program coverage may be all the coverage needed. For businesses, federal flood coverage is limited to $500,000 per building and $500,000 for contents. Also, the program doesn’t provide business-interruption coverage.
Applications must come from an agent or broker; businesses cannot apply directly. For help finding an agent or broker, or for more information about the program, please see www.surpluslines.org. The administrator can also be contacted at 206-682-3409, or by e-mail at WFMAP@surpluslines.org. For frequently asked questions, the insurance commissioner’s office has set up a web page at http://www.insurance.wa.gov/MAP.shtml.
Small Business Resources
Small Business Resources Page: Be Prepared for Disaster
Small Business Administration Loan Information (includes disaster recovery)
History of the Howard Hanson Dam
Information from HistoryLink on the Howard Hanson Dam
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Related Press Items
TIME Magazine: Washington's Green River Prepares for a Flood
Reichert and Smith in The Seattle Times: FEMA should conduct preparedness drill in the Green River Valley
FLOOD season is nearly here, and local, state and federal officials continue working to prepare for the threat posed by the potential storm damage to the Green River Valley and the Howard Hanson Dam. At a time of heightened flood risk, these efforts to address infrastructure vulnerabilities, persona... MORE
Reichert, Smith Call for FEMA Exercise in Green River Valley
Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) and Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) joined together to call on FEMA to conduct a comprehensive emergency preparedness and response exercise to take place in the Green River Valley as it faces a high risk of flooding due to damage at the Howard Hanson Dam. The exercise would help to ensure preparation at all levels to address the personal and economic impact of potential flooding and storm damage. MORE
Western WA Congressional Delegation Calls on Army Corps to Move Quickly on Howard Hanson Dam Fix
Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, Congressman Norm Dicks, Congressman Jim McDermott, Congressman Adam Smith, and Congressman Dave Reichert sent a letter to Lieutenant General Robert Van Antwerp requesting that he expeditiously review and approve the Advance Measures request as submitted by the Seattle District of the Army Corps of Engineers. The letter also called on the Army Corps of Engineers to move quickly on the design and engineering of a permanent repair to the dam. MORE
Reichert Statement on Flooding Preparedness in the Green River Valley
Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) released the following statement in response to Governor Christine Gregoire’s request to the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the flooding threat from the Howard Hanson Dam. MORE
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